Empire Covers Blogs and Postings

Car covers aren’t the first things you think of when you hear the word “luxury.” How about Lamborghini? Ferrari? Well the EmpireCovers team got a chance to drive these lavish cars.

EmpireCovers CEO, Jake Goldblum, was practically speechless after driving the red Ferrari F430 Spyder. When asked about his experience, his only words were, “That was awesome! Cowabunga!”

Robert Brous, SEM and Business Development Specialist, and Scott Shemtov, eCommerce Web Analytics Specialist, also filled their need for speed driving the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and Ferrari, respectively. Our adrenaline was pumping and we all joked about who was the best driver. From the straightaways to the curves, we all had a great time.

After my turn behind the wheel of the Lamborghini, I got a chance to talk to the Gotham Dream Cars manager, Mike Pytlar, who confirmed I was the best driver of the group. Okay, he didn’t say that but I know he was thinking it. He did have some great answers to my questions.

This isn’t necessarily a question but I wanted to thank you for having cars with an automatic transmission. I can’t drive a stick shift, so I was a little said when I thought I wouldn’t be able to drive a Lamborghini. Do you get that a lot?

Well, none of our cars are stick. A lot of people who come in here can drive a stick, but not a Ferrari stick shift. It’s different driving down the highway at a normal speed than driving in a racecourse at a high speed. So to answer your question, yes. We do get a lot of people in here who cannot drive a stick on these cars.

We see that Gotham Dream Cars rent your luxury cars for weddings, anniversary presents and other events. Has there been an outrageous request or unique occasion that someone rented a car for?

That depends on your definition of outrageous. We did have a client who rented one of our cars for one week. He drove it from New York to California and back. Just the rental cost him $65,000. I bet he had a great trip though!

One of our favorite things about Gotham Dream Cars is that you make driving a luxury car affordable to the general public. EmpireCovers was built to make protecting your assets inexpensive. How do you protect your vehicles?

We store them in the trailer when we’re traveling. As soon as a car is back at the warehouse, it is detailed. Whether it is rented, drove in the Dream Car Sprint or tour, it is detailed. We like to keep our cars are clean and maintained as possible.

On August 26, 1959, British Motor Corporation (BMC) introduced the Mark I Mini. This small car can with an even smaller price tag – $800, making it one of the best selling British cars.

The Mark I Mini was three years in the making. In 1956, in the mist of fuel shortages and gasoline rationing, Sir Leonard Lord, head of BMC, began looking for British alternatives to the compact, fuel-efficient German cars on the market. Those involved in creating and designing the Mini were sworn to secrecy. It took less than three years to make the Mini and on August 26, 1959, the Mark I Mini was on the market.

The Mini was marketed as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor; the only difference between the two was the radiator grille. By 1962, they were both known was the Mini. While it was small and fuel-efficient, the Mini comfortably sat 4 adults. Its “mini” price tag made it a popular car. Londoners also purchased the Mini as a second car because it was easy to drive through the city’s congested roads.

Production of the Mini stopped in 2000. Over 5 million Minis were produced since its start. Whether your Mini is new or old, EmpireCovers wants you to Protect Your Assets. We’ve got a variety of covers to keep your Mini protected for years to come. Find the EmpireCovers Mini car cover that is right for you.

Protection doesn’t have to be scary. Being unprotected is reckless and can result in unsolicited financial and physical damage, to your car.

There are countless threats that your vehicle is exposed to on a daily basis.

Whether you have a “soccer mom” van or have a classic car, it’s important to protect your assets. We’ve done our research and picked the top 7 hazards to your car that can be protected with an EmpireCovers car cover.

1. Cats

The Internet and some feline obsessed, single women love cats. Your car, however, does not love cats. They can be cute and cuddly but their nails aren’t. Cats can cause your car’s paint to scratch and chip. Me-ouch… EmpireCovers car covers come with a nonabrasive inner lining to deter these pesky kittens.

2. Water / Rain / Snow

We have to include some “boring” elements that you need to protect your vehicle from. Exposure to rain and snow causes your car to rust. Rust isn’t the new red. It looks terrible on cars. Some “waterproof” car covers result in mildew and mold on your car. EmpireCovers’ car covers are 100% waterproof and breathable to prevent this sticky situation.

3. Burglars

Car thieves are a huge problem. Not only do they steal your belongings inside of your vehicle. They smash your windows, punch a hole under the door handle and go to other extremes to get inside. Getting a car cover, not only deters thieves, it is cheaper than your deductible in case of a robbery.

If you’re a parent, and even if you’re not, you know that children are adventure creatures. They tend to ride their bikes too close to cars. They like to touch just about everything and they somehow always end up playing with a ball by your car. Although it isn’t intentional, children can cause you car (and wallet). A 5 layer car cover may provide the extra protection you need.

6. Dirt / Dust / Debris

Fall is a beautiful time. The leaves are turning and gracefully falling to the ground. While the scenery is beautiful, the damage to your car isn’t. Leaves contain sap, pollen and other acidic elements that diminish your car’s paint. Another threat to your car is dust. Even if your car is parked in a garage, it is exposed to dust. Exposure to dust can result to scratches and chips in your car’s paint. Debris is unable to break through an EmpireCovers car cover, “leaving” your car unharmed.

7. Bird Droppings and Other Unmentionables

We’ve all been there. You park your newly washed car and a bird finds its next target. The next thing you know, your car is covered in bird poop. Another scenario. You’re tailgating and see that a drunken frat boy thinks your truck is a bathroom stall. You already know what happens next. Gross. Maybe now you’re convinced you need a waterproof car cover.

Don’t let risqué and down right dirty behavior cause irreversible damage to you, or your assets. Buying an EmpireCovers vehicle cover is an inexpensive, proactive way to guarantee protection. If your car is exposed to all of these hazards, it may be smart to pick up an all-weather car cover. Yes, we have those, too!

Pontoon boats are a great way to relax and spend time with family and friends. Boating season is coming to an end for those of us who live in the northern part of the US. It is time to start thinking about how you’ll protect your pontoon after it’s out of the water.

If your pontoon is left outside, the elements can cause severe damage. You may leave your pontoon boat uncovered in a garage. Storing your pontoon boat in a garage protects against the elements, but your boat can still be exposed to other harmful factors, such as cats, dust and more. Wrapping your pontoon and paying storage fees can get expensive. Choosing a semi-custom pontoon boat cover may be the best option on the market.

EmpireCovers pontoon covers are high quality, waterproof pontoon covers, designed to fit almost any make and model. Our pontoon covers fit boats ranging from 17’-28’ long. All of our pontoon boat covers have multiple tie downs, buckles and straps for guaranteed protection against the sun, wind, rain and snow.

Please use EmpireCovers’ pontoon cover selector to find which size fits your pontoon best. All you need to know is the make, year and model. Our selector will suggest a size based on manufacturer specs. For the best possible fit, please take a measurement of your pontoon.

How To Measure A Pontoon Boat

First, take a measurement of the length. This measurement ranges from the tip of the bow to the tip of the parallel bow. Next, measure the beam width, or rail to rail. Once you have these measurements, you can make the appropriate selection on our website or call customer service at 888-872-6855.

EmpireCovers has teamed up with professional angler, Brandon Card, to give away a state-of-the-art, completely unique multi-layer Bionic® Boat Cover.

This heavy-duty cover is made with a Bionic® Ripstop outer layer and a microfiber inner layer. It is the most innovative boat cover on the market and it is exclusive to EmpireCovers. Made from a 100% environmentally friendly yarn, the Bionic® boat cover is guaranteed to protect your boat from sun, rain, dust, snow and other elements.

The contest ends on Labor Day (September 2, 2013)! Enter daily and share your entry to increase your odds of winning! One lucky entrant will receive a $589.99 Bionic boat cover for free! All entrants will receive a 30% off coupon code to shop at EmpireCovers and Empire Patio Covers.

We’ve all heard of the overly attached girlfriend. She’s clingy, overly protective and a little rough around the edges. EmpireCovers has recently experienced a similar problem – the overly attached cover. This clingy cover is just looking out for you and your vehicle. It wants you to protect your vehicle with EmpireCovers. Unlike the overly attached girlfriend, Empire car covers have seamless fit, offer just the right amount of protection and have a soft inner lining to prevent scratches to your vehicle. Pick up an Empire cover before the damage is done.

Researchers at the Black Hat and DefCon computer security conferences in Las Vegas showcased how vulnerable your car may be. With one click, the researchers completely immobilized a Toyota Prius and Ford Escape. The brakes and steering on both vehicles were disabled. They were also able to manipulate the speed and gas gauge displays.

While both cars were hybrids, the unsettling fact is these vehicles are already on the roads. Modern cars have up to 40 computers, giving hackers more opportunities to breech your car’s security system. Once hackers have access to one computer, the safety of the entire vehicle is compromised.

Theoretically, hackers can take complete control of a vehicle and the results can be deadly. This is a major setback for the future of driverless cars. Although driverless cars won’t hit the roads for years to come, it’s a wake up call for vehicles that are on the road today.

On August 15, 1899, Henry Ford resigned from Edison Illuminating Company to focus on mass automobile production.

At Edison, Ford was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. While Ford’s schedule was hectic at times, his unconventional hours gave him time to focus on his dream of building a gasoline-powered vehicle. In 8 years, he worked his way up to chief engineer at Edison and successfully created the Quadricycle, a horseless, gas powered vehicle.

Ford made improvements to each successful vehicle and by 1898, he was awarded his first patent. After creating his third car, Ford left Edison. His third car, with a water tank, brakes and other pioneering features, was the start of mass automobile production. In an effort to keep him, Edison offered a substantial salary of $2,000 a year. Ford declined.

The Ford Motor Company was created in 1903, after Ford’s first unsuccessful automobile company. The Ford Model-T was released in July 1903, and the Ford Motor Company has been releasing affordable vehicles ever since.

In order to keep your Ford (or any other vehicle), in its best shape, pick up an EmpireCovers vehicle cover. A car cover protects your car, truck or SUV from dents, scratches and much more!

Choosing the car cover that’s right for your needs is hard enough. With so many options from waterproof, 5 layered, American-made and more, the options seem endless! After deciding what type of car cover you need, it’s vital to know what size car you are covering.

EmpireCovers’ semicustom car covers are designed to fit almost any vehicle. From all-weather outdoor covers to indoor for storing a classic car, we offer the best care for your car at the lowest rates.

In order to make your shopping experience easier, EmpireCovers created a cover selector. Simply enter the make, year and model of the vehicle you wish to cover and EmpireCovers will provide you with a cover that will best fit your vehicle.

EmpireCovers categorizes all vehicles into sizes. If you are unsure of the make, year or model of your vehicle, you can shop by size using our car cover sizing chart:

Size 1 fits cars up to 13 feet 1 inch

Size 2 fits cars up to 14 feet 2 inches

Size 3 fits cars up to 16 feet 8 inches

Size 4 fits cars up to 19 feet

Size 5 fits cars up to 22 feet

If you’re still unsure which cover size is the best fit for your vehicle, please call our customer service department at 888-872-6855 or via live chat.

No matter the size or type of car cover you purchase, all EmpireCovers’ car covers come with:

Antenna patch – An easy to apply patch is included for your auto’s antenna.

On August 8, 1963, an ex-British Army truck and two stolen Land Rovers were part of one of the most famous heists of all time, the Great Train Robbery.

A well-known burglar and mastermind of the Great Train Robbery, Bruce Reynolds, and 14 other men stole nearly $7 million. Inspired by American westerns, the men held up a train headed for England. They tampered with line signals in order to get the train to stop. After ambushing the train, the men loaded 120 bags filled the loot and took off in the Land Rovers and ex-Army truck.

Police eventually tracked down the Land Rovers and arrested 12 of the men. A majority of the loot was never recovered. The men were sentenced to a total of 300 years; one of the men, Ronnie Biggs, escaped prison after 15 months, underwent plastic surgery and eluded law enforcement until voluntarily returning in 2001 to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Prevent your car from being involved in future heists with an EmpireCovers vehicle cover! Not only do car covers protect your paint job, they are also a great theft deterrent. While our car covers are easy-to-use, thieves want a car that is easily assessable. They also want to see what’s inside the car before breaking in to it. A car cover is the perfect solution, especially one with a cable and lock kit.